Africa: Balancing Relationships
Peer 1: Ariel
Does developed countries’ interaction with third world nations have positive impacts? African countries’ continued interaction with foreign nations is highly affecting their norms (Adekola 1-4). African states’ economic system is influenced as it has been disintegrated by foreign nations, for instance, China. This case has ensured that African countries’ remaining role is only to provide raw materials and bring in ready-made products from foreign countries like the United States and China. China, in particular, has ended up owning manufacturing industries which act as an outlet for resources from African states. The issue of soft balancing has brought dictatorship towards the weak states; this occurs through issuing of sanctions in case a country rejects this policy. Through soft balancing, the weak countries are submerged to lack of freedom as their decisions are always affected by the United States (Whitaker 1109-1115). African states need to stand on their own and uphold their own policies. The industrialized states take advantage of the weak countries and benefit economically.
Works Cited
Adekola, Oluwole. “New perspectives to Nigeria’s foreign policy towards China.” IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science 6.5 (2013): 1-6.
Whitaker, Beth. “Soft balancing among weak states? Evidence from Africa.” International Affairs 86.5 (2010): 1109-1127.
Peer 2: Robert
Can African countries depend on themselves in terms of economic development? The underlying economic relationship between African states and industrialized countries has resulted in unbalanced internal power relations and economic inflexibilities (Adekola 3-6). This has increased the movement of wealth and capital towards the industrialized nations and as a result enhanced the overflow of incomes and dividends to countries like China. The economic system of African states should no longer rely on foreign resources as they must strive to accomplish the task of raising country productive power towards growth in order to evade being moved to large and unsustainable debts. China’s involvement in African countries is based on benefiting her industrial sector, for instance, China is looking for crude oil in African countries towards the enlargement of her industry. African states should avoid the hypocritical China involvement in their developments as her aim is to benefit economically (Whitaker 1110-1123). China aims to gain her lost status in terms of globally respected remarkable power and finally make the most out of her security and independence. Therefore, her engagement with African countries is only intended to be self-beneficial.
Works Cited
Adekola, Oluwole. “New perspectives to Nigeria’s foreign policy towards China.” IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science 6.5 (2013): 1-6.
Whitaker, Beth. “Soft balancing among weak states? Evidence from Africa.” International Affairs 86.5 (2010): 1109-1127.